Senior Commercial Finance Manager

Adapro Talent Partners are delighted to be supporting a large, Bedfordshire based multi-site business with their recruitment of a Senior Commercial Finance Manager, on a permanent basis. Reporting to the Head of Commercial Finance, and partnering with the Trading Director, this role will play a key role in providing commercial insight, challenge and support to drive business performance. This is a hands‑on, highly visible role that blends financial rigour with real‑world commercial understanding. Key Responsibilities Commercial Finance Business Partnering * Partner the Trading Director and wider leadership team, providing commercial insight, challenge and support to drive business performance. * Support the execution of the business plan across the estate, ensuring initiatives deliver sustainable growth and profitability. * Influence decision-making through strong financial analysis, robust challenge and clear recommendations. * Build trusted relationships with stakeholders Performance Reporting & Insight * Provide weekly insight and performance analysis across brands. * Lead analysis of key performance drivers including sales, volume, mix, margin and promotional activity. * Deliver timely and actionable recommendations following weekly and monthly performance reviews. * Identify risks and opportunities, taking action to resolve issues or escalating where appropriate. Financial Reporting & Control * Own period-end accounting, reporting and analysis. * Deliver robust gross margin accounting and detailed variance analysis to explain performance versus budget, forecast and prior year. * Ensure key financial controls, governance processes and reporting standards are effectively managed and maintained. * Support audits and ensure financial processes remain compliant and fit for purpose. Financial Planning & Forecasting * Own financial planning processes. * Provide clear visibility of risks and opportunities, ensuring stakeholders understand performance outlook and required actions. * Support investment decisions, commercial negotiations and strategic initiatives through financial modelling and analysis. * Drive forecast accuracy and continuous improvement in planning processes. * Ownership of capital appraisals that are robust, based on good commercial assumptions and measured/tracked consistently. Business partnering with the Snr Investment Manager to ensure reporting is transparent and commercially sound. Commercial Performance Reviews * Own performance reviews for Catering, ensuring stakeholders have clear insight into trading performance. * Lead discussions around operational and commercial drivers of performance. * Track delivery of performance improvement initiatives and financial commitments. * Support post-implementation reviews to evaluate business initiatives and investment returns. Process Improvement & Projects * Drive continuous improvement in commercial finance processes, controls and reporting. * Support the implementation of new initiatives, systems and business processes across Finance and the wider business. * Champion data quality, automation and efficiency improvements. * Undertake ad hoc reporting, analysis and project work to support business priorities. Leadership * Lead, coach and develop a high-performing Analyst. * Support the broader leadership and development of the Commercial Finance team. * Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement and delivering business value. This role will suit a Professionally Qualified individual who possesses strong commercial finance experience, and the ability to simplify complex analysis into clear messages that influence decisions. They will be a strong relationship‑builder who collaborates well across Finance, Commercial and operations. Previous experience in a multi-site, retail environment would be advantageous, though not essential. Our Client is offering a Salary of £65,000 - £70,000 + £5,800 Car Allowance + 20% Bonus + Benefits